Johanne Marange church to construct school in Kwekwe

THE Johanne Marange Apostolic Church has acquired land for the construction of a primary and secondary school in Kwekwe.

The High Priest of St Nimrod Taguta-led religious organisation got the 36-hectare piece of land after it was donated to the church by one of the church elders, Elder Jaya.

Speaking during the ground-breaking ceremony at the school premises, church representative, Mr Simbarashe Chikweza, said the construction of the school is expected to start this month.

“If all goes according to plan, we are expected to start construction of the school this August and by around March next year the primary school should be complete,” he said.

“We have received pledges, which are enough for the construction and completion of the school during this event alone, and more are expected to continue flowing in.”

Mr Chikweza said it was their duty to complement Government’s efforts in solving challenges faced by the communities.

“Children are walking long distances to the nearest school in the Muwandi area about 3km from here and surely, we cannot wait for the Government to construct a school for us when we have the capacity to do so,” he said.

“In line with Vision 2030 and President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s [philosophy] of not leaving anyone and any place behind, we decided to construct the school.”

Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister, Senator Larry Mavima, said the development would go a long way in developing the area.

“This is what President Mnangagwa is always talking about and emphasizing when he talks about infrastructural development.

“As you can see, since the ushering in of the Second Republic, there has been a lot of development with the construction of bridges, dams, irrigation schemes, clinics, and schools. So, this will go a long way in complementing the President’s vision,” he said.

Senator Mavima said in line with Vision 2030, there is no child who is supposed to travel long distances to school.

“The Government is working hard with the assistance of other organisations like this church to ensure that more schools are constructed and no child should walk long distances to acquire education,” he said.

“I call upon more organisations to emulate what St Nimrod Taguta has done by constructing schools.”

The minister hailed the church for silencing critics who claim that the church does not send children to school by investing in the education sector.

Senator Mavima, who is also the Zanu -PF Midlands provincial chairperson, urged the electorate to vote peacefully.

“I know this church is fully behind President Mnangagwa as evidenced by these projects, which support the Government’s vision. I, therefore, urge you to vote resoundingly and peacefully for the President in August,” he said.

The church has constructed more than 17 schools across the country in provinces including Mashonaland West, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East, Manicaland, and Masvingo.